Gibbs or Saunders: Who Really Has Control?

Of Two Minds On Offense - washingtonpost.com (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/01/AR2007010101001.html)

Said a Redskins coach of Saunders: "In the end it really came down to control. He thought he was getting full control, but he doesn't have it."

I thought the most telling exchange was Todd Collins telling Brunell during the pre-season that this offense definitely works, but it will take a year to master. That being the case, perhaps the team should have assumed growing pains with the new offense and started Campbell at the beginning of the season. I hope we don't go into next season with Campbell still behind the learning curve after it took so long for Gibbs to make the switch.

The Post has been putting out some great articles lately. I always thought that Gibbs stressing 'Redskins Football' was a direct shot at Saunders. It's interesting to see how a little miscommunication can really throw a serious wrench in the works. Saunders thought he had complete control over the offense, and Gibbs underestimated the differences in philosophies.

If Saunders does stick around these struggles will go a long way in ironing out those differences for next year. Down the stretch the offense was definitely much more physical and the passing game was starting to come on especially against the Giants.

All in all the disaster that was this season came down to too much change too quickly.

I think more than anything it took going back to what they KNEW worked and then sprinkling in some of Saunder's plays.

I guess Gibbs actually does do more than just oversee the whole thing.

I assumed from the get-go that when Saunders arrived, he would basically just build upon what the Redskins did well last season. I was dead wrong.

He basically just installed an entirely new offense. Someone please explain the logic of that to me? Obviously the 'Skins now recognize it was a mistake.

Gibbs reasserted himself in November and the team started to look a lot better. The offensive line improved by leaps and bounds at the same time, too. Very frustrating season on offense; and I am VERY encouraged to hear that Gibbs isn't going to veer from the power running next season.

BUT... our big problems are on D, not on offense. The D was the biggest reason we were 5-11.

BUT... our big problems are on D, not on offense. The D was the biggest reason we were 5-11.

I definitely agree with that, I think the offense is going to be just fine and could really take off next year once Campbell has more experience. The big problem is the D.

The Post has been putting out some great articles lately. I always thought that Gibbs stressing 'Redskins Football' was a direct shot at Saunders.

Haven't they? Especially now that the season has concluded, they are pumping out one great piece after another. But I agree with what Schneed said, as well as others; it's about the D baby. If we had even an ordinary defense we would have probably won 9 games. When you drop from 9th to 31st, that's going to have an impact on a lot of things. If anything, the O is what I am truly optimistic about going into next season.

Speaking of Campbell, I need to give Gibbs some love for insisting upon more power running and keeping more guys in to block on passing plays. If you want to develop a QB, you can't have him trying to read how a defense is going to defend five WRs, and then have two seconds to get the ball off. You want your QB to try to read how a defense is going to defend two WRs and maybe a TE, and then have four seconds to get the ball off.

In the beginning of a QB's development, the reads are slower, the reactions are slower. He needs more time in the pocket to go through the progression and make the throw.

Once he's developed those skills, maybe you send more guys out on routes. But kudos to Gibbs for giving Campbell a fighting chance at developing into something. The Saunders style just isn't conducive to a young QB trying to learn.

One thing I LOVE about Campbell is watching him actually make reads unlike Brunell. If someone isn't open, it's so nice to watch him stand there and actually look all the way across the field before making a decision.

I think more than anything it took going back to what they KNEW worked and then sprinkling in some of Saunder's plays.

I guess Gibbs actually does do more than just oversee the whole thing.
this is one of the best quotes ever posted here. and good morning malcolm